Downhole probes and systems
AssigneeEvolution Engineering Inc.
InventorsAaron W. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ, Justin C. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are downhole probes in which electrical interconnections between different modules are achieved without wiring harnesses. Modules may be coupled to one another and/or to bulkheads in the probe my couplings that provide substantially rigid couplings. The couplings may be configured to connect together only in one orientation. Electrical connectors may be fixed relative to components of the couplings so that the electrical connectors are automatically aligned for connection by the couplings.
Claims43
A downhole probe comprising:
- an elongated housing and
- first and second modules arranged in a row and fixed relative to one another within the housing, each of the first and second modules comprising one or more electrical components and being electrically connected to the other one of the first and second modules by way of an electrical connection;
- wherein the electrical connection comprises:
- a first electrical connector attached to the first module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the first module by one or more immobilized first electrical conductors;
- and
- a second electrical connector attached to the second module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the second module by one or more immobilized second electrical conductors;
- and
- the first and second electrical connectors are either directly coupled to one another or electrically connected to one another by immobilized conductors,
- the first module mechanically coupled to the second module by a non-rotational coupling, the non-rotational coupling comprises a male portion attached to one of the first and second modules and a female portion attached to the other one of the first and second modules, wherein engagement of the male portion and the female portion restricts the relative movement of the first and second modules.
A downhole probe comprising:
- a housing comprising a plurality of bulkheads including first and second terminal bulkheads at either end of the probe and at least one intermediate bulkhead between the terminal bulkheads and a tubular shell extending between the terminal bulkheads, the tubular shell interrupted by and coupled to each of the at least one intermediate bulkheads,
- a first one or more of the plurality of modules contained within a first section of the tubular shell coupled to one side of a first one of the intermediate bulkheads and a second of the plurality of modules contained within a second section of the tubular shell coupled to an opposing side of the first intermediate bulkhead,
- wherein the one or more of the plurality of modules are rigidly anchored to the housing and the second module is electrically coupled to the first one or more modules by a rotary coupling comprising a projection that extends through and is supported within a bore passing through the first intermediate bulkhead, the projection supported against transverse motion over substantially all of its length.
A rotary coupling for use in a downhole probe, the rotary coupling comprising:
- a bulkhead having a central bore, an outside of the bulkhead comprising threads for coupling the bulkhead to a tubular housing section;
- a sleeve supported within the bore, the sleeve comprising a cylindrical cavity;
- a male projection extending through the bore into the sleeve, the male projection having a first part snuggly fitted in the bore and a second part extending into the sleeve, the second part comprising a plurality of circumferential conductive bands spaced apart along the male projection wherein at least one of the circumferential conductive bands at a leading end of the second part has a diameter smaller than those located at the base of the second part;
- and,
- one or more brushes on the sleeve and arranged to contact the conductive bands.
Downhole apparatus comprising a drill string section and a downhole probe supported within the drill string section, the downhole probe comprising one or more directional sensors having a reference orientation, the sensors being located within a module that is supported within a housing of the downhole probe, the module containing the one or more sensors having non-rotational couplings and being directly or indirectly by way of others of the modules rigidly coupled to the housing, the sensors being mounted within the module on members that are mounted to have a defined orientation relative to the non-rotational coupling, wherein the housing is non-rotatably coupled to the drill string section and an outside of the drill string section comprises indicia indicating the reference orientation.
A downhole probe comprising:
- a housing comprising a plurality of tubular sections coupled together by bulkheads;
- a plurality of electronics modules within the housing, the plurality of electronics modules including a first module on a first side of a first one of the bulkheads and a second module on a second side of the first bulkhead;
- the first module comprising a male connector part comprising a cylindrical hub carrying longitudinally-extending fins;
- the bulkhead comprising a recess dimensioned to receive the hub, with longitudinal grooves arranged to receive the fins in a wall of the recess and a bore extending from the recess through the bulkhead;
- the first and second modules electrically interconnected by an electrical coupling;
- at least one of the first and second modules comprising a member extending into the bore, the member rigidly supporting one or more electrical conductors connected to the other one of the first and second modules.
43-44. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.